Picture Christmas week in the misty forests of the Virunga volcanoes. A silverback rests in the bamboo, a young gorilla tumbles past your feet, and later you celebrate with a festive dinner overlooking green hills. A Christmas safari in Rwanda is a holiday you’ll talk about for years.
This year it’s also better value. From November to May, Rwanda offers a 30% low-season discount on gorilla trekking permits for travellers who combine their trek with a stay in Akagera or Nyungwe National Park. That makes this festive season one of the best times to experience Rwanda gorilla trekking, and to see much more of the “Land of a Thousand Hills” along the way.
Save 30% on Rwanda Gorilla Trekking This Christmas
Rwanda’s standard gorilla trekking permit costs US$1,500 per person. With the low-season discount, it drops by 30% to around US$1,050 per person. Here’s how the offer works:
- When it applies: only from November to May each year, including the Christmas and New Year holidays.
- What you need to do: combine your gorilla trek with a visit to Akagera National Park and/or Nyungwe National Park.
- Option 1: stay two nights in one of these parks, with the hotel’s payment confirmation receipt and one paid activity.
- Option 2: stay one night in Akagera and one night in Nyungwe (consecutive), with a paid activity.
The discount is subject to approval by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Ikaze Rwanda Tours & Travel arranges the qualifying park stays, activities and paperwork for you, so all you need to do is enjoy the saving. As permits are limited each day, book early to secure both your trekking date and the discount.
Want to claim the discount? Contact Ikaze Rwanda Tours & Travel and we’ll build a Christmas itinerary that qualifies.
Why Rwanda Is Perfect for a Christmas Safari
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is possible all year round, but the most popular times are the long dry season, from June to September, and the short dry season, from mid-December to February, when trails are firmer and hiking is easier. December falls just as the short dry season begins, so a Christmas trip brings drier conditions, festive lodge stays and the low-season permit discount, which runs from November to May. Showers are still possible in the mountains, but the landscapes are lush and green.
Rwanda is also wonderfully compact. Kigali is around two and a half hours from Volcanoes National Park, so you can see gorillas, savannah wildlife and rainforest primates in a single trip without long days on the road. Add a safe, welcoming capital and beautiful lakes, and you have an ideal destination for a festive escape.
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, in the north-west of the country. Your day begins with an early briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi, where you are assigned to a habituated gorilla family. Experienced guides and trackers then lead you through bamboo forest and up volcanic slopes.
Treks can take from one to several hours. Once you find the family, you spend one unforgettable hour watching youngsters play, mothers feed their babies and the silverback keep watch. Few wildlife moments anywhere in the world come close.
If you have an extra day, Volcanoes National Park also offers golden monkey tracking and the hike to Dian Fossey’s former research site, both lovely additions to your stay.
Travel tip: Hire a porter at the trailhead. They carry your daypack, help on steep sections and your fee supports local communities.
Complete Your Trip in Akagera and Nyungwe
The parks that qualify you for the discount are highlights in their own right, so adding them makes your Christmas safari richer as well as better value.
Akagera National Park, in eastern Rwanda, is the country’s Big Five destination. Game drives and a boat trip on Lake Ihema reveal elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos and, with luck, lions and rhinos. Nyungwe National Park, in the south-west, is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. Here you can track chimpanzees, spot colobus monkeys and walk the canopy walkway high above the treetops.
A Sample 7-Day Christmas Safari in Rwanda
This itinerary includes two nights in Akagera with a paid activity, so it qualifies for the 30% gorilla permit discount:
- Day 1: arrive in Kigali and explore the city’s markets, cafés and memorial.
- Days 2–3: two nights in Akagera, with a boat trip on Lake Ihema and game drives.
- Day 4: travel to Musanze, at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes.
- Day 5: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 6: golden monkey tracking, then continue to Lake Kivu.
- Day 7: a relaxed festive day by the lake before returning to Kigali.
Prefer chimpanzees and rainforest? Swap Akagera for Nyungwe, or include one night in each park. We’ll tailor the route to your dates and interests.
Celebrating Christmas in Rwanda
Christmas is widely celebrated in Rwanda, with lively church services, festive markets and family gatherings. Many lodges mark the season with special dinners, decorations or evening entertainment. If a festive meal matters to you, we’ll confirm your lodge’s Christmas plans before booking. For a peaceful Christmas Day, few places beat the sandy shores of Lake Kivu after an exciting week in the parks.
What to Pack for a Christmas Safari in Rwanda
- Waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Long trousers, long-sleeved tops and a light rain jacket
- Gardening gloves for gripping vegetation
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Binoculars and a camera (no flash near gorillas)
- A warm layer for cool evenings in the highlands
How Much Does a Christmas Safari in Rwanda Cost?
Gorilla permits are usually the largest single expense. With the low-season discount, the permit falls from US$1,500 to around US$1,050 per person, a saving of about US$450 each. Beyond permits, budget for accommodation, transport, a driver-guide, park fees for Akagera or Nyungwe, meals and activities. Prices can change, so always confirm current rates before booking.
Gorilla permits are limited every day and demand is high, so secure yours well in advance, ideally at least six months before your trekking date. Planning a trip for this Christmas? Contact us as soon as possible and we’ll check availability for your dates. Lodges and flights also fill quickly over the festive season.
Plan Your Christmas Safari with Ikaze Rwanda Tours & Travel
As a local Rwandan operator, our team takes care of gorilla permits, discount requirements, lodges, transport and experienced guides. Every itinerary is tailored to your dates, interests and budget, so you can relax and enjoy the adventure.
Ready for a festive adventure? Request your personalised Christmas safari itinerary today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 30% gorilla trekking discount apply at Christmas?
Yes. The discount applies from November to May, including Christmas and New Year, when you combine your trek with a qualifying stay in Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park. It is subject to RDB approval.
How do I qualify for the discount?
Stay two nights in Akagera or Nyungwe with one paid activity, or one night in each park consecutively with a paid activity. Ikaze Rwanda Tours & Travel can arrange everything for you.
How many days do I need for a Christmas safari in Rwanda?
Around six to eight days is ideal to include gorilla trekking, a qualifying stay in Akagera or Nyungwe, and time to relax at Lake Kivu.
